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Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti)
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Description: The pygmy seahorse, also known as Bargibanti''s seahorse, (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a seahorse of the family Syngnathidae found in the western central Pacific Ocean. It is tiny, usually less than 2 cm (0.79 in) in size & lives exclusively on fan corals. There are two known color variations: grey with red tubercles, and yellow with orange tubercles. It is unknown whether these color varieties are linked to specific host gorgonians. Because of its camouflage, the species wasn''t discovered until its host gorgonian was being examined in a laboratory. Scientists believe other, similar, species remain to be found. Adults are usually found in pairs or clusters of pairs, with up to 28 pygmy seahorses recorded on a single gorgonian & may be monogamous. Unusually, it is the male & not the female, that becomes pregnant in seahorses. Breeding occurs year-round. The female lays her eggs in a brood pouch in his trunk region. They are fertilized by the male & incubated until birth with gestation averaging 2 weeks. In one birth witnessed underwater, a male gave birth to a brood of 34 live young. The young look like miniature adult seahorses, are independent from birth & receive no further parental care. All seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) are listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora & Fauna (CITES), effective as of May 2004, limiting & regulating their international trade. Australian populations of pygmy seahorses are listed under the Australian Wildlife Protection Act, so that export permits are now required, although they are only granted for approved management plans or captive-bred animals. With such limited data available, there is an urgent need for further research to be conducted on its biology, ecology, habitat, abundance & distribution, before its status can be properly assessed and conservation measures implemented accordingly. However, the remarkably effective camouflage of this species may make such survey
Uploaded By: femcat38
Date: 1/24/2012
Views: 519
File Size: 75 KB
